Malaria remains a major burden in tropical regions today. More than one million children under five years of age die from the disease every year, more than the entire population of Detroit or San Francisco. But malaria also reaches into the adult population. By weakening the body, the malaria parasite also contributes to mortality from other diseases that might not otherwise be lethal.

In some areas, malaria survivors are continuously re-infected, due to unbroken exchange of the parasites between human hosts and mosquitoes. Reducing malaria infections in these areas has a profound impact on public health.